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Public Sector Excellence Awards
The Public Sector Excellence Awards celebrate and recognise the outstanding contributions, dedication, and achievements of public sector employees in serving the South Australian community.
All the finalists and winners deliver exceptional outcomes for the state while living the Public Sector Values.
2025 award winners and finalists
Congratulations to the winners and finalists of the 2025 Public Sector Excellence Awards who were selected from more than 135 outstanding nominations.
The Awards Ceremony was held on Thursday 16 April 2026, with 11 awards across six categories.
View the 2025 awards photo gallery.
See the full list of winners and finalists below, you can jump to a specific category by clicking on the following list:
- Jump to Category 1A – Excellence in Service Delivery – Individual
- Jump to Category 1B – Excellence in Service Delivery – Team
- Jump to Category 2A – Driving Innovation – Individual
- Jump to Category 2B – Driving Innovation – Team
- Jump to Category 3A – Building South Australia’s Economy – Individual
- Jump to Category 3B – Building South Australia's Economy – Team
- Jump to Category 4A – Leadership in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – Individual
- Jump to Category 4B – Leadership in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – Team
- Jump to Category 5A – Connecting Communities – Individual
- Jump to Category 5B – Connecting Communities – Team
- Jump to Category 6 – Emerging Young Talent – Individual
Category 1A – Excellence in Service Delivery – Individual
This award recognises an individual for their exemplary service to South Australia. Their program, service or initiative has had a far-reaching, positive impact.
Winner
- Prof. Mike Steer - Department of Primary Industries and Regions
Finalists
- Ian Tanner - Department for Environment and Water
- Jodie Grayson - Department for Infrastructure and Transport
Winner video - Excellence in Service Delivery, Individual: Prof. Mike Steer - Department of Primary Industries and Regions
Category 1B – Excellence in Service Delivery – Team
Awarded to a team for their exemplary service to South Australia. Their program, service or initiative has had a far-reaching, positive impact.
Joint winners
- DCP Far North Office - Department for Child Protection
- NALHN Allied Health CONNECT Service Team - Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN)
Finalist
- Safety and Wellbeing Taskforce - Department of Human Services & South Australia Police
Winner video - Excellence in Service Delivery, Team: DCP Far North Office - Department for Child Protection
Winner video - Excellence in Service Delivery, Team: NALHN Allied Health CONNECT Service Team - Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN)
Category 2A – Driving Innovation – Individual
Awarded to an individual that has demonstrated a commitment to and support for new ideas and experimentation or found new ways to solve problems to deliver for South Australia and its future prosperity.
Winner
- Rebecca Weber - Department for Education
Finalists
- Blair Pellegrino - Department for Environment and Water
- Mark Nethercott - Department for Education
Winner video - Driving Innovation, Individual: Rebecca Weber - Department for Education
Category 2B – Driving Innovation – Team
Awarded to a team that has demonstrated a commitment to and support for new ideas and experimentation or found new ways to solve problems to deliver for South Australia and its future prosperity.
Winner
- Geospatial Information Services Team - Department for Housing and Urban Development
Finalists
- Algal Bloom Water Testing Reporting Team - Department for Environment and Water
- Innamincka Flood Response Team - Department for Environment and Water
Winner video - Driving Innovation, Team: Geospatial Information Services Team - Department for Housing and Urban Development
Category 3A – Building South Australia’s Economy – Individual
Awarded to an individual for their contribution to a project or initiative that has generated a significant positive impact on the South Australian economy and SA’s prosperity, generates jobs or economic diversification benefits for South Australia.
Winner
- Jenny White - Department of Treasury and Finance
Finalists
- Brad Page - Department of Primary Industries and Regions
- Cory O'Connor - Department for Education
Winner video - Building South Australia’s Economy, Individual: Jenny White - Department of Treasury and Finance
Category 3B – Building South Australia’s Economy – Team
Awarded to the team whose project or initiative generates a significant positive impact on the South Australian economy and SA’s prosperity, generates jobs or economic diversification benefits for South Australia.
Winner
- Industry and Economic Support Packages Team - Department of Treasury and Finance
Finalists
- Chihuly in the Botanic Garden Event Team - Department for Environment and Water
- Lot Fourteen Innovation District Delivery Team - Department of the Premier and Cabinet
Winner video - Building South Australia’s Economy, Team: Industry and Economic Support Packages Team - Department of Treasury and Finance
Category 4A – Leadership in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – Individual
Awarded to the individual whose project or initiative contributes to building a public sector where everyone belongs, and their uniqueness is valued.
Winner
- Jenny Bishop - Department for Education
Finalists
- Barbara Figueroa - Department for Infrastructure and Transport
- Cherie Dawkins - Department for Education
Winner video - Leadership in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Individual: Jenny Bishop - Department for Education
Category 4B – Leadership in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – Team
Awarded to the team whose project or initiative contributes to building a public sector where everyone belongs, and their uniqueness is valued.
Winner
- Cultural Safety, Inclusion & Anti-Racism, Parafield Gardens High School - Department for Education
Finalists
- Customer Strategy and Inclusion Team - Department for Infrastructure and Transport
- Safer Family Services Rainbow Tick Accreditation Team - Department of Human Services
Winner video - Leadership in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Team: Cultural Safety, Inclusion & Anti-Racism, Parafield Gardens High School - Department for Education
Category 5A – Connecting Communities – Individual
Awarded to the individual whose work has made a positive impact on communities across South Australia including grassroots or established community initiatives that demonstrate genuine involvement, offer long-term value and add to the life of their community.
Winner
- Stephanie Ryan - Department for Education
Finalists
- Janet Pryor - Department for Environment and Water
- Monique Barns - Department for Education
Winner video - Connecting Communities, Individual: Stephanie Ryan - Department for Education
Category 5B – Connecting Communities – Team
Awarded to the team whose work has made a positive impact on communities across South Australia including grassroots or established community initiatives that demonstrate genuine involvement, offer long-term value and add to the life of their community.
Winner
- Drought Support Team - Department of Primary Industries and Regions
Finalists
- Algal Bloom Communication and Engagement Team - Department for Environment and Water
- Holbrooks Homelessness Program - SA Housing Trust & Central Adelaide Local Health Network
Winner video - Connecting Communities, Team: Drought Support Team - Department of Primary Industries and Regions
Category 6 – Emerging Young Talent – Individual
Awarded to an individual aged 30 or under, who has demonstrated excellence, passion, commitment and action towards making a positive difference to the lives of South Australians.
Winner
- Nakia Ellis - Department for Education
Finalists
- Holly Wyatt - Southern Adelaide Local Health Network
- Samara Schmid - Southern Adelaide Local Health Network
Winner video - Emerging Young Talent, Individual: Nakia Ellis - Department for Education